A 53-year-old man has been charged with indecent exposure after allegedly masturbating in the same park where children were playing nearby.

Police were called to Betts Park in Penge on the afternoon of July 25 after a man was seen removing his shorts on a bench before masturbating.

Officer said his "genitals were in full view" and a collection of women’s underwear was reportedly found in the bag he was carrying.

Barry Southgate, of Huntly Road, South Norwood, was arrested and later charged with indecent exposure.

A police statement read: "The park was open to the public as usual, and numerous families and children were in the park at the time."

We understand this is not related to an incident in Blakes Park earlier this month where a dog walker was asked to perform a sex act on a man.

Refresh your memory here - Dog walker mocks masturbating man who asked for sex act in West Wickham park